At the Mountain Gate, on a smooth, warm bluestone path.
A breeze carried the fragrance of plants and trees, brushing against a black Immortal Skirt.
Tantai Xue walked along the path in that black Immortal Skirt. Its black was not a dull ink-dark shade, but resembled the curtain of the late-night sky, with faint streams of black light flowing across it.
A silver-gray silk sash cinched her waist, tied in a simple knot, its trailing ends swaying gently in the wind.
Her long sleeves narrowed at the cuffs, revealing a length of slender, fair wrist.
She looked straight ahead, her gaze like a pool of clear, unruffled water.
Walking beside her was Ji Hao, wearing a faint smile, his steps relaxed and unhurried.
"Are you leaving already, Mr. Tantai?"
As they walked together, Ji Hao spoke softly.
Tantai Xue nodded slightly. "I've been here a long time. It's time to see somewhere else. Besides, I've taught a Return to the Void Student Cultivator in just a few years. I've already earned the highest achievement in the Inner Sect. There isn't much point in staying in the same place.
"But I'll still come by occasionally.
"To put Teacher Yan to the test."
At the mention of Teacher Yan, Tantai Xue sighed. "She's the hardest teacher I've ever had to teach. Not even Student Cultivators are as difficult to teach as she is." She had lingered here until now largely because of her.
"It's a little like resenting iron for failing to become steel."
Ji Hao smiled. "Teacher Yan is indeed somewhat lacking. Fortunately, she does cultivate. Given some time, reaching the Primordial Spirit stage might not be hopeless for her." Anything beyond that would depend on her subsequent performance.
"But she'll have to work harder than the Student Cultivators, or even